Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 3, Part 83

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1140

USA > Ohio > Wood County > Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 3 > Part 83

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On April 22, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Park, the daughter of George Park, a well-to-do farmer of Hancock county. She died May 5, 1891, and her remains were laid to rest in Hardin county, Ohio. Of her two children one son, Ernest, born December o. 1884, survives her. A daughter, Ila, died in in- fancy. On May 12, 1892, the Doctor married his present wife, Miss Lizzie Bowe, the daughter of George Bowe, a leading citizen of Scott town- ship, Sandusky connty.

In addition to Dr. Burnett's extensive prac- tice he has valuable oil interests, being a member of the prosperous firm of Day, Winchell & Bur- nett, and he has already acquired a handsome competence. A stanch Republican, he has been active in local politics, serving on the school

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board, and for eight consecutive years on the vil- lage council. He belongs to the order of Mac- cabees and the I. O. O. F.

JOHN G. GROH. The rich lands of Wood county have been transformed into fine farms which would do credit to any section of the coun- try, and a valuable tract of land in Liberty town- ship is owned by the gentleman whose name in- troduces this sketch. The excellent improve- ments upon his place are all the work of his own hands, and he is justly ranked among the leading agriculturists of the community.

Mr. Groh was born in Medina county, Ohio, September 3, 1865, and is a son of John Groh, a native of Germany, who was reared to man- hood in the Fatherland, and there inarried Miss Christina Plapp. When a young man he learned the weaver's trade, but did not follow it, devoting his energies to the milling business. He served as a soldier in the German army. In 1850 he came with his wife to America, landing at New Orleans, whence he made his way to Cleveland, and thence to Medina county. After a few years Mr. Groh moved to Lorain county, where he pur- chased and farmed thirty acres of land. Later he came to Wood county, and bought 110 acres in Liberty township-the farm on which our sub- ject now resides. The father died in 1867; the mother is still living on the homestead. An earn- est, energetic man, it was his endeavor to secure a comfortable home for his family. In politics he was a Democrat. The record of the family. numbering twelve children, is as follows: One died in Germany; Mary is the wife of Henry Hemminger, of Midland county, Mich. ; John G. is the next younger; Louisa married Nelson Auler, and died in Wood county; Carrie is at home; Catherine is the wife of William Spieth, of Lib- erty township; Ellen is deceased; Anna, twin sister of Ellen, is the wife of Alpheus Kiser, of Fostoria, Ohio: Liddy is the wife of John Mc- Crory, of Liberty township; the others died in early life.

Our subject attended school in Medina and Lorain counties, and completed his education in the district schools of Liberty township. His privileges and opportunities, however, in youth, were limited, for at the age of twelve years he was left fatherless, and being the only son, the greater part of the farm work devolved upon him. He not only cared for the home farm, but added to the family income by working in the woods, and by hauling lumber to Findlay, and staves to Perrysburg. In accordance with his father's will, he received half of the home farm, and has al-

ways lived thereon. On January 27, 1896, Mir. Groh became sole owner of the old homestead, buying out the heirs; the farm comprised ninety acres.

Mr. Groh was married in Liberty township, September 14, 1879, to Miss Amy C. Knight, who was born in Sandusky, Ohio, January 31, 1862. They began their domestic life in an old log cabin on the home farm. Their marriage has been blessed with one daughter, Millie Alma, born Au- gust 24, ISSO. Mr. Groh has made all the im- provements on his land, and in September, ISSS, he erected a fine residence. He also has upon his place five oil wells. Though he has led an active and useful life, Mr. Groh has found time to devote to Church interests. He is an active worker in the Church of Christ, in which he has held office since its organization, having been deacon, treas- urer and trustee, and secretary-and superintend- ent for a number of years. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist.

J. W. BRANDEBERRY, an extensive stock raiser and farmer of Perry township, was born in Section 23, in that township, September 29, 1855. and is a son of Isaac Brandeberry, who is a native of Richland (now Ashland) county, where he was born near the village of Orange, Septent- ber 2, 1820. His parents were Philip and Cath- arine (Zimmerman) Brandeberry.

Isaac was yet in his " 'teens" when his parents settled in Perry township, and he had but a lim- ited education, attending school only three months. He, however, supplemented what little knowledge he obtained at school, by studying at home, which he did in the evenings by the light of the fire from the large fireplaces, in which was burned hickory bark. He was especially good in mathematics, which branch of study he taught his children. He was also a good speller and a good penman. He often attended spelling contests in other districts, and very seldom was his superior found. On July 4, 1844. he was married, in Perry township, to Miss Nancy Fish, who was born near Georgetown. Columbiana county, April 24, 1826. She was a daughter of John and Sarah (Kouser) Fish, who came to Perry and settled in Section 14. Her father was one of the earliest settlers in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Brandeberry went to housekeeping on the home place, where our subject now lives, and where they resided until early in the "seventies." when he moved on to the Mccutchenville pike. and built a brick house there. He died Novem- ber IS, 1886, and his wife January 26, ISS ;. Both are buried in Fostoria. Their children are

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as follows: Sarah A., born April 25, 1846, now the widow of Orrin Stearns, of Perry township [see sketch elsewhere]; Jane, born August 25, 1848, married William Werner, of Perry town- ship; James, born December 18, 1850, lives in- Pemberville, Ohio; Minerva, born February 11, 1853, is the wife of George Bucher, of Hicksville, Ohio; J. W. is our subject ; Charles W., of whom a sketch appears elsewhere; Frank E., born Jan- uary 6, 1864, is a farmer of Perry township: Lou- ella, born June 14, 1871, is now Mrs. Homer Cochard, of Perry township.

Philip Brandeberry gave to each of his sons eighty acres of timber land. Isaac's part was in Section 23, which he at once started to clear and improve, and built on it a cabin. He added to his land until he at one time had over 1,000 acres. He gave to cach of his boys 120 acres, and $2,000 to each of his daughters upon their inarriage. Of these 1,000 acres not more than eighty acres have passed out of the family, as he either gave or sold to his children. He worked at various trades, being at different times a stone mason, thresher; well-digger, etc., the latter be- ing the first trade he followed. Later he took up that of a stone mason, and laid the founda- tions for many of the older business blocks in Fostoria, aniong them being the Foster Block. He was a very conscientious and systematic man, a hard worker, and carried on farming in connec- tion with his other work. His wife was a great help to him, as she was economical, and a good manager. He was of domestic habits, and was only absent from home when his business de- manded his presence elsewhere. He was well known as a good citizen, mechanic, and farmer.

The subject of our sketch attended school in District No. 1, Perry township, and received a good education for those days. Reared as a farmer's boy, he spent his youth, except a few months at different times, on the home place. He was married in Seneca township, Seneca county, November 9, 1882, to Miss Flora Adel- sperger, who was born in that township July 29, 1861. She is the daughter of John and Mary A. (Albert) Adelsperger, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. They were married in Seneca county, and had thirteen children, all of whom, except one, Anna N., grew to maturity and married. The father was a farmer, and died at the age of sixty-five years. The mother still lives, at the good old age of sixty-eight years.

expenses, and in 1886 paid off all the indebted- ness. He has other land in Perry township, amounting in all to 215 acres. The record of his children is as follows: Pearl A., born July 6, 1884; Ada, born July 25, 1886; and Fred W .. born November 25. 1894. Politically, Mr. Bran- deberry is a Republican, and has served as trus- tee and supervisor of Perry township, and for five years was on the board of education, and favors good schools, regardless of expense. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which he is at present one of the trustees, at Fostoria. He is an extensive dealer in stock, of which he is a good judge, is a shrewd dealer, and one of the pushing business men of the township. He is one of the foremost farmers of Perry township, up to date in every branch of the work, and is well known throughout the county, as his extensive dealings have given him a wide acquaintance.

MATTHEW GILLESPIE, a well-known retired agriculturist, residing in Weston, Wood county, was born in Scotland on the river Clyde, July 24, ISIO. His parents, Benjamin and Rebecca (Eng- lish) Gillespie, were born in Ireland. but moved after their marriage to our subject's birthplace, where his father worked in a copper mine until he was killed by the caving in of the mine. The four children of this union were Ellen, who mar- ried and remained in Scotland; William John, who came to America in IS48, and died at Sid- ney, Ohio, at the age of eighty-four; Matthew, our subject; and Benjamin, who is deceased.

Our subject came to America in 1836, spend- ing forty days on the water. For three years he stayed in Rochester, N. Y., and then settled, as a pioneer, on land at Sidney, Ohio, where he lived twenty years following farming, tanning, and shoemaking for a livelihood. During this time he brought his mother to his home, where she died at the age of seventy-five. In 1852 he was married to Miss Jane Jordan, who was born in 1825, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, where her ancestors on both sides had been residents for generations. Her parents, Andrew and Catlı- erine Jordan, crossed the Atlantic when she was twelve years old, and, after a short stay in Lower Canada, came to Logan county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining years. They were mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Gillespie was one of eight children: Charles, who died in Logan county, at seventy; Jolin, who died in childhood; Robert, who died in California; Will- iam H., who died at the old home in Logan

In ISSo, our subject located on the farm where he now lives, and which he owns. He bought it on time, and from its proceeds paid all | county; Jane (Mrs. Gillespie); Mary (now Mes.

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Ernberg), of Bellefontaine, Ohio; Rebecca (now Mrs. Collins), of the same town; and Joseph, who resides in Toledo.

Seven years after his marriage, Mr. Gillespie brought his family to Weston, where he followed his trade of boot and shoe making until modernt factories drove him out of business. He then be- came a farmer, and, although the active work has been for some years delegated to younger hands, he still retains his farm of forty acres. He also owns some property on the main street of Wes- ton. A brief record of his eight children is as follows: Mary E. married J. Brown, of Illinois, and has five children-William, Edward. James, Paul and John; Sarah is deceased; Emma is the wife of James Church, of Toledo, and has three children-Herbert, Orville and Raymond; Fran- cis lives in Tontogany, and is married; Charles died at the age of seven years; James died when eighteen months old; and two (twins) died in child- hood. Matthew Gillespie and his wife have been spared to a ripe old age. Both belong to an hon- est, frugal, hardy race of people. They are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Gilles- pie is a close student of the Bible. Although bowed down with age, there is within him such spiritual force and vitality, that to see him in some moment of moral enthusiasm, and listen to the poetic grandeur of his speech, is to real- ize ones ideal of the prophets and patriarchs of olden time.

GEORGE BOETSCH, a prominent business man of Perrysburg, was born in Baden, Germany, October 10, 1844. His parents, George and Johanna (Meyer) Boetsch, were both natives of Baden, where the father died, and the mother, a lady of great force of character, came to America with her five children, of whom our subject was the eldest; Agnes entered a convent in New York State, where she is now a teacher, known as Sis- ter Agnes; Caroline is housekeeper for Father Bowers, of Fremont, Ohio; Theresa is a Sister of Charity in Glandorf, Putnam county; Mary en- tered a convent at Buffalo, N. Y., and died there.

For five years after her arrival Mrs. Boetsch lived at Tiffin, Ohio, with her little family, and then came to Perrysburg, where our subject soon engaged in the grocery business, his mother keep- ing house for him. She died in 1888 at the age of sixty-eight. In 1864 Mr. Boetsch married Miss Catherine Nellis, who was born in Maumee, October 13, 1844. Four sous were born .of this union: George H., born June 8, 1865, who married Miss Mary Hirtzfelt, and has one child- |

Catherine; Seraphina, born in 1867; Frederick. born in 1869; and Charles, in 1872. Mr Boetsch continued in the grocery business until 1878, when he bought a farm which he cultivated five years. In 1883 he bought the Perrysburg and Fort Meigs Mill, which he still owns and operates; five years later he opened a meat market, which he also conducts. He is a man of fine qualities of character and handsome physique. possesses much culture and information, and en- joys in a marked degree the esteem of the com- munity. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace, and still holds that office. He is a Dein- ocrat in politics, and in religious faith is a mem - ber of the Roman Catholic Church.

S. L. SARGENT, one of the highly respected residents of Jerry City, is a native of southern Ohio, born August 9, 1824, son of John and Agnes (Linn) Sargent, a brief sketch of whom appears in that of W. A. Sargent.

During his youth our subject attended the district schools of his day, to some extent; but his father owned a large tract of land, 560 acres. and there was plenty for the boy to do at home. so he assisted his father up to the time of his marriage. He then settled upon part of the home farm in Liberty township, and followed agricultural pursuits on his own account for twenty years, since which time he has devoted himself to other pursuits. On leaving the farm he removed to North Baltimore, conducting the "Baltimore House" there until 1883, when he settled in Jerry City, and has made his home here ever since. He at first engaged in teaming here, later embarking in the livery business, and for the past ten years he has carried the mail from Tromley Station to Jerry City. In his younger days he was an active citizen, taking a lively interest in public affairs, and he held sev. eral local offices of trust, serving as trustee of Liberty township for years, and also as clerk He was the first Republican coroner of Wood county, after which it is hardly necessary to sal that he is a stanch supporter of that party, thouse prior to its formation he was a Democrat.

Mr. Sargent was first united in marriage with Miss Hannah Jones, by whom he had children. 6 follows: Josephine (now Mrs. John Anderson of Liberty; Agnes (now Mrs. Lewis Myers .: Bloom township; John L., who died at the age of nine years; Horace G., who died when seventies years old: Eurina, who died in infancy : Hatt who because the wife of Jack Ireland, and . in Bowling Green; and Asher, of Portage. M. Hannah Sargent died in Liberty townslup, 10

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was buried in Sargent cemetery, and subse- quently Mr. Sargent married Mrs. Barbara J. (Myers) Clark, and four children have come to this union: Maggie, Clara and Daisy, living; and John, who died in infancy: Mr. Sargent was brought up in the Methodist faith, and Mrs .. Sargent is a member of that Church. They are both highly respected in the community in which they make their home.

FRANK H. CRAWFORD, postmaster at Bairds- town, is one of the representative citizens of that village. Born in Williamsport, Penn., February 22, 1868, he is the son of F. W. and Catherine M. (Martin) Crawford, the latter of whom was a native of Reading, Penn. In the family were five children: George B., of Bairdstown; Robert L., a railroad man of Grand Rapids, Mich .; Grant G., of North Baltimore, Ohio; Frank H., subject of this sketch; and Florence, who lives with her mother in North Baltimore. By trade the father was a painter and paper hanger. During the Rebellion he served as a member of Company K, 45th Penn. V. I. In the fall of 1871, he removed with his family to Republic, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until May, 1877, when he came to Bairdstown; and, with the few hundred dollars he had accumulated by industry and good man- agement, he erected a building for hotel purposes, known as the "Crawford House." In its con- struction he exhausted his means, and it became necessary to mortgage it, which soon would have been paid off had it not been for his untimely death July 9, 1878. His remains were interred in Bloom Chapel cemetery. Afterward the build- ing was sold, from which the widow could obtain nothing, and she then conducted the old " Baird House " for six years. She is now carrying on a. boarding house in North Baltimore.

Frank H. Crawford was but a small child when his parents removed to Republic, at which place his elementary education was received, and he was only nine years old on his arrival in Bairdstown, where he continued his studies in the district schools. As a boy he could be found around the village, doing chores and odd jobs for the merchants and business men, always prompt and reliable. In 1880 he entered the store of Austin Van Blarenin, as clerk, and when sixteen months later that gentleman removed to Jerry City, Wood county, he accompanied him; but, as his mother wanted him nearer home, he returned to Bairdstown. He has since been with the firm of Briggs & Jones, except when in 1892-93. he was in the employ of Benschoter's Insurance

Agency, Bowling Green. On August 1, 1886, in that city, he married Miss Effie Kistler. of Bairdstown, a daughter of Levi Kistler, the well- known contractor and builder, and they are now the parents of five children: Eva, Georgia, Francis-H., Ruth and Pauline.

Mr. Crawford generally votes the Democratic ticket in municipal and county matters, but is not strictly partisan. In 1892, when only twenty- four years of age, he was elected mayor of Bairdstown; has been a member of the city council, and on December 31, 1893, was ap- pointed postmaster, in which position he is now capably serving. In 1891 he was elected mem- ber of the school board, and was a strong advo- cate of a special district for the village, which movement he championed against most bitter opposition from leading and much older men of the township. His cause was successful. and the wisdom of it has been fully demonstrated in later years. In 1893 he joined the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 406, Bloomdale; in religious faith he is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bairdstown, serving as trustee since its organization in 1890, was a member of the building committee, and has always been superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Crawford stands high among the better class of people, and is a young man of strict integrity and up- riget character.

ORRIN GRAHAM, one of Montgomery town- ship's most prosperous young farmers, was there born in Section 32, October 14, 1867. His ed- ucation was acquired in the common schools of the southern part of his native township. and in the northern part of Perry township. When quite young he became familiar with agricultural pursuits, and as his father ranked among the most successful farmers of the community, his instruction was invaluable to our subject. He remained under the parental roof until he had at- tained his majority, and then began working for others.

At the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Graham married Miss Alpha Baird, of Perry township, a daughter of David Baird, and to them have been born a daughter-Edna. The young couple be- gan their domestic life upon a farm in Section 32, Montgomery township, from which they later removed to Section 5, Perry township; but in 1893 came to their present home in Section 31. Montgomery township. Mr. Graham owns 120 acres of excellent farming land in Perry town- ship, which accumulation for one of his age is quite out of the ordinary. He is industrious and

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enterprising, in fact few men of his years have performed the labor he has done, and still does. Health is all that is necessary for him to rank in a short time among the leading and extensive farmers of his township. He is straight- forward and honorable in all his dealings, gaining the confidence of those with whom he comes in contact. He takes considerable interest in polit- ical affairs, always giving his earnest support to the Democratic party.

W. L. KETCHAM, the present treasurer of Perry township, and one of its most prosperous and substantial farmers, is a representative of the third generation of that name in the township, his grandfather, William B. Ketcham, being one of the pioneer settlers there. The family is of English descent, and tradition tells of three broth- ers who came to America in the Colonial days. one of whom settled in New Jersey, where for generations his descendants lived, and from which branch the Ketchams of Wood county trace their genealogy.

Our subject was born January 6, 1867, and is a son of George L. Ketcham, who was the son of Williamn B., son of John, whose father's name was James. The latter, who was the great-great- grandfather of W. L., was born in New Jersey, March 26, 1753, and was married in 1779 to Miss Rhoda Osborn, who was born October 12, 1758. The children of this couple were Joshua, Lewis, Hannah, John, Phoebe, James, Nathaniel, Char- lotte, Samuel, Nathaniel (2), Job and Abigail. The father died March 18, 1820, and the mother May 9, 1847.

John Ketcham, great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in New Jersey, April 3, 1786, and was married February 15, 1812, to Miss Johanna Burnett, who was born in that State, April 15, 1792. The parents were William and Anna : (Dodd) Burnett, the former of whom was born April 2, 1758, and the latter August 21, 1765. The father died February 4, 1807, and the mother June 28, 1818. Their children were named Caleb S., Mary, Johanna, Elizabeth G., Justus A., Sally and John F. The children of John and Johanna Ketcham were nine in num- ber, William B., grandfather of our subject, bc- ing the first in order of birth. John Ketcham died November 17, 1858, his wife surviving him until April, 1893, when she departed this life at the advanced age of 101 years.

William B. Ketcham was born in New Jersey, December 3, 1St2, where he was married to Nancy Osborn. In 1841, with his wife and only child, George L., he came to Wood county, set-

tling on a piece of partially-improved land near West Millgrove. Before coming to Ohio he had learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon- maker, but he followed it very little after taking up farming. The land mentioned was in Section 9. Perry township, and comprised the farm now owned by our subject. William B. was one of the carly pioneer in that locality, and by industry and careful management he became one of the wealthy farmers of the township. He was a self- made man, of excellent judgment, a shrewd financier, and at his death left an estate valued at several thousand dollars.

George L. Ketcham, the father of our sub- ject, was born May 1, 1838, was reared on his father's farm, and had a common-school educa- tion. On July 3. 1861, he was married to Miss Rosalie Leonard, who was born November 13. 1838, in Windsor, Richland Co., Ohio, daughter of Seneca and Sarah A. (Foote) Leonard, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of New York, who came to West Millgrove in 1859. and are still living there, highly respected citi- zens. Four children were born to George L. Ketcham and his wife: The first born, a son. died in infancy; William L., our subject, comes next; Gertrude, born May 1, 1874, and Richard B., born August 9, 1876, are living with their parents. Mr. Ketcham previous to 1883 was engaged in the mercantile business at West Mill- grove and also operated a sawmill. In the year mentioned he became a traveling salesman for a Toledo wholesale house, which occupation he still follows, making his home in West Millgrove. He is a stanch Republican, a Mason, and both he and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church. He is a wide-awake, jovial man. well known throughout the township, and one of its most prominent citizens.

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Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 3, Part 83

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1140